Vault’s Verdict

One of the prestigious Big 4 professional services firms, PwC is ideally looking for hardworking, technically sound candidates with a questioning mindset and solid critical-thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills. For students, the firm runs a valuable internship program, offering interns hands-on experience, the ability to network with other interns and senior professionals, and, during winter internships, a good look at what a busy season actually looks like. For its full-time professionals, PwC offers extensive growth and learning opportunities, including numerous trainings, the ability to rotate through different departments, clear promotion paths, and more.

Although long hours are typically required during the busy tax season, it’s very possible to achieve a healthy work/life balance outside that time. This is in large part due to the schedule flexibility that PwC offers. According to PwC insiders, this flexibility allows you to prioritize family and other personal commitments outside of work. With respect to compensation, the majority of insiders say that pay, although market rate, could be higher given the number of hours they work. On the other hand, benefits are said to be very generous. In addition, there are many wellness offerings, including access to free counseling, mental health coaches, meditation apps, and more.

As for the firm’s culture, it is very inclusive, and PwC’s workforce is very diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ status, military veterans, and individuals with disabilities. However, insiders note that while there are many women at the entry levels, there are relatively fewer women at the senior and leadership levels. With respect to PwC’s business outlook, although there are some concerns among staff around the uncertainty of the economy, changing government policies, and high turnover, insiders say the firm will continue to grow and they’re generally confident that the new leadership team will steer PwC in the right direction.

EMPLOYEE REVIEWS

Hiring Process

“I had one round of interviews that consisted of two parts. The first part was a 30-minute case interview and the second was a 30-minute behavioral interview. Less than two weeks later, I received an answer back. I believe the firm is looking for people who are technically advanced but also very passionate about what they do. They want someone who likes to get involved, ask questions, and be willing to mentor others.”

“The interview process is very general and allows the firm to place candidates where they might best be suited. I thought it was a fair process and there was constant communication throughout. I would say the ideal candidate is a hardworking team member. Having a good work ethic is important in a field like this.”

“The ideal candidate is someone who thinks critically with a questioning mindset. They’re able to make connections between different complex concepts on their own, without the information being fed to them first. They should also be academically successful with plans to pursue CPA licensure (if applicable for their role) and enjoy the challenge of the accounting industry. Finally, they should convey their ability to work with others and make interpersonal connections, as this is crucial to the success of our work.”

“The interview process is like a three-tier pillar. There’s the resume review, then two meetings you have to pass in order to be considered. A few weeks later, if you get an offer, you'll receive a call from one of the interviewers congratulating you. If you don’t get an offer, I believe you still get a call, but I’m unsure. I believe the ideal candidate is someone who believes in what they’re capable of and willing to take ownership of their actions. They’ll also strive for improvement, and if they encounter a boundary, they’ll have the ability to think of ways to circumvent the boundary to continue moving forward. The firm is also looking for people who can take charge when necessary and also have the ability to learn on the fly and adapt to an ever-changing atmosphere. It’s also important to have decent communication skills. I’m not saying ‘strong’ because I don’t think strong communication skills are a must, but having the ability to clearly communicate is a must. Most of all, the firm wants you to be authentic. Don’t be like everyone else. The interviewers probably hear hundreds if not thousands of speeches from interviewees all similar in style, flaunting their educational backgrounds. Instead, I suggest adding in who you are and why you as a person are a good fit for the firm. Add in things like your hobbies, how you spend a weekend, sports you either do or have done. Have a conversation with the interviewer.”

Interview Questions

“Tell me about a time when you led a team that encountered some difficulty and how you dealt with it. Tell me about a time when you had to prioritize different deadlines/commitments. Tell me about a time when you experienced conflict in a team—what did you do? Also, the generic: What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What will you bring to the firm? Why do you want to work at this firm/office?”

“Describe a time when you overcame an issue in a work environment that was challenging. How have you dealt with a situation where you were in a group and there was a conflict of how to proceed to finish a task or project? Describe the type of steps you would take if you were given a task that you became stuck on after starting. Describe a time when you had to deal with an irate person and how you overcame the issue.”

“Provide an example of a time where you managed a competing priority (include in your response how you gained consensus with all relevant stakeholders, how you delegated reassigned work as needed, and how you demonstrated effective collaboration to work through the challenge to ensure timely completion within the prescribed deadlines).”

“Why do you want to work at PwC specifically? (Many big firms are similar; culture is likely the response to this question.) Why do you want to work in this city? (Especially if you’re coming from out of state.) Tell me about a time you had a negative experience working in a group and how it was resolved.”

Internship Experience

“Everyone was really invested in my growth. Upper management took the time to get to know me and share their experiences. The internship was during a slow work period, so there wasn’t a lot of work for me to help on. However, the company made sure to give us a lot of learning opportunities through meetings, curated learning paths, and the intern project, which replicated a real-world assignment.”

“The best part was networking with new associates. I felt welcomed by senior managers, senior associates, and associates. We learned about each other’s cultural values, and they helped me navigate the resources I needed to complete a project.”

“I was a winter intern, which gave me a taste of busy season. The biggest concern about public accounting is busy season, so getting a mild experience was great. However, many people were too busy to spend time coaching me.”

The internship was very effective at helping me understand what to expect in a full-time role—it prepared me well. I walked in knowing nothing but by the time I left eight weeks later, I felt like I sort of had the hang of it. Where I was at the end of my internship was similar to where I feel now as a full-time associate.”

Career Development

“Your career development at PwC is what you make it. People will be there to support you and help you throughout your career and along the way as you want and need. I love the mentality at PwC that ‘if you’re interested in a rotation or moving to another group within the same business unit or outside, we would rather you stay with PwC and leave our group than leave the firm.’ I think the firm values its people and wants them to be successful.”

“The firm has a massive online library of virtual trainings, from how to use Excel to how to perform the most technical aspects of our jobs (across all service lines). We also have an apprenticeship model, fostering an environment that promotes and encourages on-the-job training. In addition, some of the best trainings are the annual national trainings held for most levels. These are a great mix of technical, business, and networking.”

“The firm provides extensive opportunities to try out different aspects of the tax field and determine which area you enjoy and do well working in. Personally, I have been able to be a part of multiple tax subject areas and work in both tax (SALT, federal, transfer pricing, international tax) and audit.”

“The firm is very clear about progression and how to continue growing within the firm, and there’s a tool that allows us to see our salary progression as we move within the firm, which is really helpful for planning my future in terms of my personal goals (i.e., eventual home ownership). I think in general PwC’s standardized and predictable system for promotions is good for those who want to have a clear and simple path, but maybe not always great for those who put in top efforts, as they will not be rewarded with sooner promotions or any other compensation.”

Quality of Life

“PwC provides generous vacation and holiday time for everyone. The ability to utilize vacation is great, assuming it’s not during busy season. For tax, this is roughly seven to eight months of the year where we’re able to take time off.”

“As a high performer, you often find yourself working a lot of hours, making work/life balance more challenging, as there are always opportunities for you to be working. However, I find plenty of time for my kids and family and have the flexibility to make what I find important a priority.”

“Outside of the people, one of the best things about PwC is the flexibility. As long as you’re meeting your client and team demands, this is an incredibly flexible place to work. This flexibility allows for the ability to prioritize family, friends, and life outside of work.”

“Overall, the firm’s quality of life and my work/life balance as a working mom are good. I know that I have a much more flexible job than most people. It doesn’t come without its challenges, though. The seasonal nature of our work is the hardest part. The busy times are busy and tough and continue to feel like they’re being extended to longer periods of time. During the slower times, the pressure of utilization and expectations doesn’t lessen, which can be stressful.”

Salary and Benefits

“I think compensation is competitive but inadequate given the number of hours we work. There are times I am working 60 to 70 hours a week on average and up to 90 hours a week and am compensated at a 40-hour/week salary.”

“Salary and bonuses are subpar compared to the industry. The amount of work does not correlate. Benefits are generous, however.”

“The base salary is more than enough for what I need. The benefits are extraordinary and include cellphone discounts, perks at work, and reward points that we can exchange for gifts or gift cards. We have plenty of PTO, holiday pay, unlimited sick pay, and parental leave. We get a 401(k), wealth builder plan, and HSA contribution. However, parking is not paid for when we visit the office.”

“Overall, while salary and bonus may be on target for the market, the industry as a whole needs to see drastic pay increases. Other industries pay significantly more than Big 4 accounting while education requirements are similar, and salary has not risen to meet COL requirements. Benefits are a struggle as well. Health insurance premiums are high, and even the lowest premium plan has a super high deductible.”

Wellness Efforts

“The firm offers many wellness tools, such as counseling, discounted fitness memberships, meditation apps, and other ‘Wellbeing Reward’ that can be redeemed for various prizes.”

“PwC provides a mental well-being coach that can help you with mental stuff that you're going through. I use them all the time. I think the most widely used initiative is Wellhub, which is an exercise class/gym membership subscription plan. The firm also has other wellness benefits, but I don’t know how often they’re used.”

“Free counseling visits, access to mental health apps free of charge, free or discounted exercise programs, meditation apps free of charge, nutrition education/programs free of charge. Teams are encouraged to discuss flexibility and what that means to people individually.”

“PwC really emphasizes ‘be well work well,’ but it's hard to fully promote that when everyone is working crazy hours. The office sometimes hosts ‘be well work well’ events, but it's usually in the middle of the day when everyone has meetings.”

Community Engagement

“PwC values belonging, diversity, and inclusion and creates an environment where employees can thrive and be themselves. The company fosters a sense of community and provides resources that empower employees to tackle issues like climate change, hunger, education, paying it forward, etc. They offer programs where you can use your privilege for the greater good of your neighbors, community, and fellow coworkers. PwC's inclusive culture ensures everyone feels valued, regardless of gender, religion, or background. This is why I love working here.”

“I’m Hispanic myself and feel very comfortable here. The green and philanthropic efforts are there, and the LGBTQ+ individuals (at least from my friends that I know in PwC) are happy with PwC.”

“The company makes an effort to promote inclusivity, including offering office trainings and events to share our different backgrounds and learn to be more empathetic. However, I feel like we could see more women in leadership roles. There is lots of diversity in terms of race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ status, military veterans, individuals with disabilities, etc. But it is still mostly a male or male-presenting club amongst leadership.”

“The office is full of minorities. I see all races/genders/LGBTQ+ individuals represented when I go into the office. I wish we had more female partners on my team. But there are some female partners on other teams within the firm.”

Business Outlook

“The overall business outlook will depend mainly on the economy. In addition, the firm has a number of programs to outsource the work (audit, tax, and consulting) that may be impacted by changes in U.S. policy and inhibit the ability to develop staff employed in the country. The firm’s leadership is relatively new and stepped into the role with little communication of focus areas or priorities. So, there is a lot of uncertainty.”

“Similar to other large firms, PwC will have to navigate the macro backdrop of a new political landscape in the U.S. and its policies around inflation and employment, which will certainly continue to be impactful for its workforce. Leadership in the past has been transparent on how it will navigate similar challenges and I expect the same from the current leadership. PwC has demonstrated adaptability in its upskilling of its workforce as it relates to AI, which will certainly impact the accounting profession in the upcoming years ahead.”

“I’m very confident in the firm’s ability to grow. There’s lots of talent in the workforce here and lots of learning opportunities for all levels. However, there’s been high workforce turnover due to burnout. We need to hire more people to redistribute work so that people stay with the company.”

“Given the nature of the tax profession and the proposed changes in 2025, our business outlook is extremely strong, as our clients come to us for advice and assistance with their tax challenges. Morale is not as strong as it’s been, as there seems to be a rift between those who want all employees returning to the office and those who want to continue to work from home.”

UPPERS
“Working with the best and brightest people for a leader in the industry”
“Great work/life balance outside of busy season and ability to work remotely”
“Unlimited learning opportunities and professional development”

DOWNERS
“Hours and work/life balance during busy season”
“Office politics”
“Compensation and perks could be better”